Buying Low Dose Naltrexone
There is only one way to buy low dose naltrexone: with a prescription.
It is illegal obtain or purchase naltrexone without a prescription from a doctor. Additionally, low dose naltrexone is only available through compounding pharmacies. Pharmaceutical companies do not produce naltrexone at lower doses.
The regular dosage size used for addiction is around 50-100 mg. In order to get lower doses, your prescription must compounded. Compounding pharmacies can develop naltrexone at any dose necessary. Lower doses are usually around 2-5 mg depending on the needs of the patient.
Your pharmacist can work with your doctor to determine the optimal dosage size.
Naltrexone at Regular Doses
Ask Your Provider
Your doctor can give you more information about low dose naltrexone. If you were considering taking this medication for depression, pain, or autoimmune diseases, it may be worth while to bring it up to your provider. They will help you weigh the pros and cons.
However, while naltrexone at regular strength is accepted by the FDA, naltrexone at low doses is still being studies.
Some doctors may not be as informed about the positive results from these studies. If your provider is not comfortable with low dose naltrexone, it is possible to seek a second opinion.
Functional medicine doctors usually have more experience with and are more open to prescribing low-dose naltrexone.
The site ldnresearchtrust.org also has helpful information when searching for a provider.
Questions to Ask Your Pharmacist
- Do you have training with LDN?
Our pharmacists have extensive hours of training and experience working with low-dose naltrexone. In order to dispense naltrexone, our staff needs to complete rigorous training regarding its uses for thyroid, autoimmune, dermatology, depression, and pain issues. - Where do you source your materials?
You want to be sure that your pharmacy’s sources are reliable and trustworthy. - Do you have a certificate of analysis?
You can ask for something called a “certificate of analysis.” This document outlines the purity levels of active ingredients used by the compounding pharmacy. Any compounding pharmacy should be able to provide this certificate without hassle.
Don’t be afraid to ask your compounding pharmacies questions to get a better feel for their reliability.
Become Informed About Low Dose Naltrexone
Before taking any medication, it is a good idea to become informed on the topic. Talking to your provider as well as your pharmacist can give you a good outlook on the benefits and drawbacks of low dose naltrexone.
Additionally, there are support groups, both online and in-person, that can give perspective from people with 1st hand experience with the drug.
When you’re ready to move forward, ClearSpring Pharmacy will get you ready to go!
